Mobile object, system, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

There is provided a mobile object including an input detection unit configured to detect an input from an outside, an acquisition unit configured to acquire environmental information detected by a sensor in a remote location, in accordance with a content of detection performed by the input detection unit, and a control unit configured to control an actuator other than a driving actuator in accordance with the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit, the driving actuator relating to movement of the mobile object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/951,725, filed on Jul. 26, 2013, which claimspriority from Japanese Patent Application JP 2012-175695 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Aug. 8, 2012. Each of the above referencedapplications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a mobile object, a system, and astorage medium.

Generally speaking, an automobile for a driving use includes a drivingactuator such as tires or an engine. A driver manipulates the drivingactuator through a handle, a brake, an accelerator, and the like todrive the automobile.

An automobile also includes an audio system that uses an in-car speaker,and an air conditioning device that makes the condition in theautomobile more comfortable. In recent years, a car navigation systemthat uses an in-car display has also been provided. Those systems areeach independent, and each operate in accordance with a usermanipulation.

As a system that is provided to an automobile, for example, JP2012-068481A proposes a system for realizing augmented reality in whichinformation according to a scene in a real space is displayed on atransmissive display such that the information is superimposed on thescene in the real space.

JP 2009-023651A also proposes an information display system for avehicle that uses a head-up display which has video projected on thewindshield of the vehicle so that a passenger can visually recognize thevideo.

In this way, various independent systems are mounted on an automobilethat is for a driving use. Meanwhile, in the field of game devices, adummy driving game machine which imitates an automobile has been known.

For example, JP 2008-246136A proposes, as a dummy driving game machinethat imitates an automobile, a game device that projects video on awindow display device and mounts a wheel on a roller so that the playercan drive a virtual automobile more realistically in a virtual space.

SUMMARY

However, none of JP 2012-068481A, JP 2009-023651A, and JP 2008-246136Ahas disclosed technologies for considering a real automobile for anactual driving use as a device (immersive feeling providing device) thatcan recreate spatial presence of a specific place and can provide animmersive feeling.

An audio system and an air conditioning device provided in an automobilethat is for a driving use can be certainly an actuator for recreatingspatial presence, but they are independent systems and are notconfigured to be interactively controlled such that spatial presence ofa remote location is recreated.

The present disclosure therefore proposes a mobile object, a system, anda storage medium that are novel and improved, and can provide, in anautomobile for a driving use, an immersive feeling into a predeterminedspace.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda mobile object including an input detection unit configured to detectan input from an outside, an acquisition unit configured to acquireenvironmental information detected by a sensor in a remote location, inaccordance with a content of detection performed by the input detectionunit, and a control unit configured to control an actuator other than adriving actuator in accordance with the environmental informationacquired by the acquisition unit, the driving actuator relating tomovement of the mobile object.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a system including a mobile object including an input detectionunit configured to detect an input from an outside, an acquisition unitconfigured to acquire, from a server, environmental information detectedby a sensor in a remote location, in accordance with a content ofdetection performed by the input detection unit, and a control unitconfigured to control an actuator other than a driving actuator inaccordance with the environmental information acquired by theacquisition unit, the driving actuator relating to movement of themobile object, and the server including a first reception unitconfigured to receive, from a sensor disposed in a remote location,environmental information detected by the sensor, a second receptionunit configured to receive the content of the detection performed by theinput detection unit from the mobile object, and a transmission unitconfigured to transmit, to the mobile object, the environmentalinformation received by the first reception unit, in accordance with thecontent of the detection received by the second reception unit.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a storage medium having a program stored thereon, theprogram causing a computer to function as an input detection unitconfigured to detect an input from an outside, an acquisition unitconfigured to acquire environmental information detected by a sensor ina remote location, in accordance with a content of detection performedby the input detection unit, and a control unit configured to control anactuator other than a driving actuator in accordance with theenvironmental information acquired by the acquisition unit, the drivingactuator relating to movement of the mobile object.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above,it is possible to provide, in an automobile for a driving use, animmersive feeling into a predetermined space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing an overview of an immersive feelingproviding system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a usualautomobile;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an immersivecar according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a serveraccording to the present embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of switching modes in theimmersive car according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of acquiring environmentalinformation regarding a target point in an immersive mode according tothe present embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of AR display in recreatingan immersive space according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an immersivecar according to a modified example of the present embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing an overview of an immersive feelingproviding system according to a modified example of the presentembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing an influence on an actuator group ina remote location A;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of animmersive feeling providing system according to a modified example ofthe present embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a serveraccording to a modified example of the present embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

The description will be made in the following order:

1. Overview of Immersive Feeling Providing System according toEmbodiment of Present Disclosure

2. Basic Configurations

2-1 Immersive Car

2-2. Server

3. Operation Processes

3-1. Process of Switching Modes

3-2. Process of Acquiring Environmental Information

4. Complement 5. Conclusion 1. OVERVIEW OF IMMERSIVE FEELING PROVIDINGSYSTEM ACCORDING TO EMBODIMENT OF PRESENT DISCLOSURE

First, an overview of an immersive feeling providing system according toan embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with referenceto FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing the overview of theimmersive feeling providing system according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the immersive feelingproviding system according to the present embodiment assumes that agreat number of sensor groups are disposed in various places around theworld. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, sensor groups 4A, 4B, and4C are disposed in remote locations A, B, and C, respectively, as anexample. The sensor groups 4A, 4B, and 4C are capable of performing datacommunication with a server 3, and the server 3 is capable of performingdata communication with an immersive car 1.

Sensor groups 4 include various sensors (for example, image sensor,microphone, temperature sensor, fragrance sensor, and wind volumesensor) capable of acquiring environmental information in a remotelocation such as image information, audio information, temperatureinformation, fragrance information and a condition of wind, and transmitthe environmental information in the remote location to a server 3. Eachsensor group 4 also retains information regarding in which place eachsensor is disposed in the remote location, and whether the acquiredenvironmental information interacts with environmental information ofanother sensor in an adjacent place, and transmits this type ofinformation to the server 3 as necessary.

The server 3 grasps, based on the environmental information transmittedfrom various remote locations, which pieces of the environmentalinformation should be combined and output to recreate a situation(spatial presence) of a specific remote location. Once receiving arecreation request command of a target point from a device such as theimmersive car 1 that recreates presence of a specific place and providesan immersive feeling, the server 3 extracts environmental informationused for recreating the presence of the target point and transmits theextracted environmental information to an immersive feeling providingdevice such as the immersive car 1. The immersive car 1 sometimestransmits a recreation request command that changes a target point fromhour to hour to the server 3. In such a case, the server 3 sequentiallyextracts new environmental information according to the updated targetpoint, and sequentially transmits the new extracted environmentalinformation to the immersive car 1.

The immersive car 1 is an example of a mobile object that recreatespresence of a specific place, based on the environmental informationreceived from the server 3, and provides an immersive feeling. Theimmersive car 1 according to the present embodiment can switch two modesincluding a driving mode (movement mode) for a usual driving use and animmersive mode (immersion mode) for a purpose of enjoying an immersivefeeling into a specific place.

It is noted that a usual automobile for a driving use is not configuredto switch the modes to the immersive mode, and it is not also assumedthat the modes are switched to the immersive mode. A configuration ofthe usual automobile will be described below with reference to FIG. 2.

(Configuration of Usual Automobile)

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a usualautomobile 100. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the usual automobile 100includes a handle 111, a brake 112, an accelerator 113, and a drivingactuator 114. The automobile 100 also includes a manipulation input unit115, a display unit 116, a communication unit 117, an audio device 118,a speaker 119, and a navigation device 127. The automobile 100 furtherincludes an air conditioning manipulation input unit 120 and an airconditioning device 121.

The handle 111, the brake 112, and the accelerator 113 are driving inputdevices for control information that is used for driving the automobile,and are connected to the driving actuator 114, as illustrated in FIG. 2.The driving actuator 114 is, for example, a tire, an engine, or thelike, and is driven based on manipulation information from the drivinginput device.

Furthermore, a lot of general automobiles each have an audio systemmounted thereon. Specifically, the audio system includes an audio device118 configured to read an audio signal from an inserted Compact Disc(CD) or a connected digital music player, and to control a pluralityspeakers 119 mounted in the automobile to reproduce the audio signal.The audio device 118 controls the speakers 119 to reproduce radiobroadcasting received from the communication unit 117.

In recent years, a general automobile frequently has a car navigationsystem mounted thereon that uses a Global Positioning System (GPS).Specifically, the car navigation system includes a navigation device 127configured to measure a current position based on signals received bythe communication unit 117 from a plurality of GPS satellites tonavigate a driving route to a place designated by a user. The navigationdevice 127 can connect to a cellular system via the communication unit117 to acquire congestion information. The navigation device 127 canalso display map information on the display unit 116 in accordance witha user manipulation and display the driving route to the placedesignated by the user.

The manipulation input unit 115 is a device (input detection unit)configured to receive a manipulation input made by a user, and may be,for example, a touch sensor provided on the display unit 116. Themanipulation input unit 115 outputs a command input by the user to theaudio device 118 or the navigation device 127.

The display unit 116 is usually disposed around the center in the fontbelow the windshield. The display unit 116 displays a menu screen, amanipulation screen, and a reproduction screen that relate to an audiosystem, and a menu screen, a manipulation screen, and a navigationscreen that relate a navigation system, etc. The display unit 116includes, for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or an OrganicLight-Emitting Diode (OLED).

The air conditioning device 121 controls a temperature of wind and avolume of wind blowing from a plurality of outlets provided in theautomobile in accordance with a temperature sensor (not illustrated)configured to measure a temperature in the automobile and a commandinput by a user from the air conditioning manipulation input unit 120 sothat the temperature in the automobile is controlled. The airconditioning manipulation input unit 120 is a control panel configuredto receive a user manipulation relating to air conditioning and disposedaround the center in the front below the windshield. The control panelincludes a temperature setting button, a wind volume adjusting button, aswitch for switching outlets, a switch for switching the inside andoutside atmosphere, and a switch for turning on/off a power source.

(Background)

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the manipulation information input from thedriving input devices (handle 111, brake 112, and accelerator 113) isdelivered to only the driving actuator 114 in the above-described usualautomobile 100. The audio system, the navigation system, and the airconditioning system are each independent. In this way, the usualautomobile 100 has not been intended to integrate and control thedriving actuator and an actuator other than the driving actuator such asthe speaker 119, the display unit 116, and the air conditioning device121.

Meanwhile, as a technique of providing a user with such spatial presenceas the user feels as if the user visited a remote location, a displaydevice configured to broadly cover the field of view of the user or atechnique of disposing a lot of multi-channel speakers and the likearound the user is conceivable in order to appeal to the eyes or theears of the user. It is also effective to realize a technique thatappeals to the other sensory organs that perceive fragrance, atemperature, or wind along with the technique of appealing to the eyesor the ears.

Large scale equipment is necessary for realizing the techniques thatappeal to various sensory organs of a user in a room of a building, thatis, for example, display devices have to be disposed at walls of theroom, a lot of speakers are also provided, and a fragrance generator, anair conditioning device, an electric fan, and the like have to beprovided based on the detailed calculation.

If the cabin of an automobile is considered as “a space (immersivespace) used for recreating spatial presence and providing an immersivefeeling,” large scale equipment does not have to be newly constructedsince the cabin of the automobile includes various actuators in advance.

However, different from a game device as described in JP 2008-246136A,it is difficult to configure the usual real automobile 100 to integrateand control the various actuators as described above. Although theautomobile 100 includes the driving input device such as the handle 111,the brake 112, and the accelerator 113 for inputting manipulationinformation used for driving the automobile 100, the manipulationinformation is not output out of the automobile 100. It is alsodifficult for the automobile 100 to decide whether to accept or rejectthe information received from the outside based on the manipulationinformation.

Furthermore, the windshield and the side glass of the automobile 100have to be transparent enough that people in the automobile 100 can lookout through the windshield and the side glass. Since a scene outside theautomobile 100 is visible through the windshield and the side glass inthis way, it is difficult to use the automobile 100 to recreate spatialpresence of a remote location and to provide an immersive feeling.

The embodiments of the present disclosure therefore provide immersivefeeling providing systems. An immersive feeling providing systemaccording to each embodiment of the present disclosure can recreate, inan immersive car, spatial presence of a specific place, based onenvironmental information acquired by a sensor group disposed in thespecific place, and provide an immersive feeling. The immersive car isnot only used as an immersive space for providing an immersive feeling,but also may be for a usual driving use.

The overview of the immersive feeling providing system according to theembodiment of the present disclosure has been described. Next,configurations of an immersive car and a service, which are included inthe immersive feeling providing system according to the presentembodiment, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

2. BASIC CONFIGURATIONS [2-1 Immersive Car]

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of theimmersive car 1 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the immersive car 1 includes a handle 11, a brake 12, anaccelerator 13, a driving actuator 14, a manipulation input unit 15, adisplay unit 16, a communication unit 17 (acquisition unit), an audiodevice 18, a speaker 19, an air conditioning device 21, a mode settingunit 22, an environmental information storage unit 23, a navigationdevice 27, a fragrance generator 24, and an immersive display unit 28,which are controlled by a control unit 10.

Since basic functions of the handle 11, the brake 12, the accelerator13, the driving actuator 14, the manipulation input unit 15, the displayunit 16, the communication unit 17, the audio device 18, the speaker 19,the air conditioning device 21, and the navigation device 27 are thesame as the basic functions described above with reference to FIG. 2,the description for them is omitted here. Additionally, the manipulationinput unit 15 according to the present embodiment may be a touch sensorprovided on the display unit 16 or may be a general information terminalsuch as a user's smartphone or a tablet terminal that establishes awired/wireless connection in the cabin with the immersive car 1. Theplurality of speakers 19 according to the present embodiment may bedisposed on the sides of the cabin, and may be additionally disposed onheadrests. The communication unit 17 is an acquisition unit configuredto acquire environmental information regarding a specific place (targetpoint) designated by a user from the server 3.

(Immersive Display Unit)

The immersive display unit 28 is provided in the overall interior of thecabin of the immersive car 1 such as the windshield, the side glass, therear glass, the ceiling, the floor, the sides, and the backs of thefront seats of the cabin. The immersive display unit 28 is also providedon the backs of the front seats so that a passenger seated in the rearseat can also enjoy a foreground scene in the immersive space. If theimmersive display unit 28 is film-shaped and provided on the windshield,the side glass, or the like, the immersive display unit 28 can becontrolled by the control unit 10 to have a higher transmittance duringusual driving so as not to interrupt a driver. Alternatively, theimmersive display unit 28 may be turned off during usual driving,thereby having a high transmittance. The immersive display unit 28 mayalso be a flexible display, which is flexibly transformable, so that theimmersive display unit 28 may conform to the surface shapes of theceiling, the floor, the sides, the backs of the font seats, and the likeof the cabin.

(Fragrance Generator)

The fragrance generator 24 includes a function of emitting, from aplurality of outlets (not illustrated) of the cabin, a fragrancecomponent that has been stored in advance or a fragrance component thathas been generated by combining components for fragrance generation. Thefragrance generator 24 may also emit the fragrance component from anoutlet from which the air conditioning device 21 outputs wind.

(Environmental Information Storage Unit)

The environmental information storage unit 23 stores environmentalinformation received from the server 3 by the communication unit 17.

(Control Unit)

The control unit 10 controls the whole immersive car 1. For example, thecontrol unit 10 according to the present embodiment performs control inaccordance with a command indicating a specific place (target point)designated by a user, which is input from the manipulation input unit15, such that the control unit 17 requests information (environmentalinformation) for recreating spatial presence of the target point fromthe server 3. The control unit 10 can control an actuator other than thedriving actuator 14 such as the immersive display unit 28, the speaker19, the air conditioning device 21, or the fragrance generator 24, basedon the environmental information received by the communication unit 17from the server 3, and provide an immersive feeling into the targetpoint.

Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the immersive display unit 28based on image information included in the environmental information,and has an image obtained by capturing the target point displayedthereon. Then, the control unit 10 performs shield control to lower atransmittance of the immersive display unit 28 that is provided on thewindshield or the like such that people in the cabin are not able tolook out at a scene.

The control unit 10 performs control based on audio information includedin the environmental information such that a sound collected in thetarget point is reproduced from the speaker 19. The control unit 10 alsocontrols the fragrance generator 24 based on fragrance informationincluded in the environmental information to recreate fragrance detectedin the target point.

The control unit 10 further controls a setting temperature and a volumeof wind of the air conditioning device 21 based on temperatureinformation and a condition of wind included in the environmentalinformation such that the air conditioning device 21 recreates atemperature and a condition of wind of the target point.

When a user manipulates the driving input device such as the handle 11,the brake 12, or the accelerator 13, the control device 10 also includesa function as an input detection unit configured to perform manipulationdetection on the manipulation information as an input into the drivingactuator. During the movement mode, which will be described below, thecontrol unit 10 delivers the manipulation information detected from thedriving input device to the driving actuator 14 and performs control.Meanwhile, during the immersive mode, which will be described below, thecontrol unit 10 controls the actuator other than the driving actuator 14in accordance with the manipulation information detected from thedriving input device, and provides, in the immersive space, such afeeling as a user drove in the target point.

(Mode Setting Unit)

The mode setting unit 22 may be set to perform the above-describedcontrol, which the control unit 10 performs in order to provide animmersive feeling into the target point only when the operation mode ofthe immersive car 1 is set to the immersive mode.

The mode setting unit 22 can set the operation mode of the immersive car1 to one of the driving mode, which is for a usual driving use, and theimmersive mode (immersion mode), which is used for recreating spatialpresence and providing an immersive feeling that a driver enjoys. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the immersive car 1 according to the presentembodiment has the control unit 10 configured to capable of integratingand controlling actuators such as the immersive display unit 28, thespeaker 19, and the air conditioning device 21 in addition to thedriving actuator 14. Thus, switching of the modes allows even a usualreal automobile capable of being driven to be used for recreating animmersive space. The mode setting unit 22 may set the operation mode ofthe immersive car 1 in accordance with a command input by a user fromthe manipulation input unit 15.

Driving Mode

When the driving mode has been set, the mode setting unit 22 issues, tothe control unit 10, a notification that the driving mode has been set.This notification allows the control unit 10 to perform driving controlon the driving actuator 14 (such as the brake or the engine) based onthe manipulation information from the driving input device (such as thehandle 11, the brake 12, or the accelerator 13) and to actually drivethe immersive car 1.

Immersive Mode

When the immersive mode has been set, the mode setting unit 22 issues,to the control unit 10, a notification that the immersive mode has beenset. The control unit 10, which receives this notification, performssuch control as described above for providing an immersive feeling intothe target point. Specifically, a recreation request command forrequesting the information (environmental information) used forrecreating spatial presence of the target point is generated andtransmitted to the server 3 by the communication unit 17. The controlunit 10 also controls the immersive display unit 28, the speaker 19, theair conditioning device 21, and the like based on the environmentalinformation received from the server 3.

The mode setting unit 22 may also issue, to the immersive display unit28, the speaker 19, the air conditioning device 21, and the like, thenotification that the immersive mode has been set. The immersive displayunit 28, the speaker 19, the air conditioning unit 21, and the like,which receive the notification, are switched to operate under controlfor recreating spatial presence performed by the control unit 10.

The control unit 10, which receives the notification that the immersivemode has been set, blocks the delivery of the manipulation informationfrom the driving input device (handle 11, brake 12, and accelerator 13)to the driving actuator 14 (such as the brake and the engine) such thateven when the driving input device is manipulated, the automobile wouldnot actually drive. At the same time, the control unit 10 may use themanipulation information from the driving input device for the controlin recreating spatial presence of the target point. That is, the controlunit 10 can control the immersive display unit 28, the speaker 19, theair conditioning device 21, and the like based on the manipulationinformation from the driving input device to provide such a feeling asthe user drove in the target point.

The configuration of the immersive car 1 according to the presentembodiment has been described in detail. Next, a configuration of theserver 3 according to the present embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 4.

[2-3. Server]

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the server 3according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, theserver 3 includes a control unit 30, a sensor group communication unit31, an index database (DB) 33, an environmental information storage unit35, and an immersive car communication unit 37. Each configuration willbe described below.

(Sensor Group Communication Unit)

The sensor group communication unit 31 connects to a sensor groups 4(see FIG. 1) disposed in each remote location and performs datacommunication. Specifically, the sensor group communication unit 31receives sensor data (environmental information) from the sensor group 4and outputs the sensor data to the control unit 30. The sensor groupcommunication unit 31 may continuously receive the sensor data from thesensor group 4 or may receive the sensor data when the control unit 30issues an acquisition instruction.

(Immersive Car Communication Unit)

The immersive car communication unit 37 connects to the immersive car 1and performs data communication. Specifically, the immersive carcommunication unit 37 receives, from the immersive car 1, a recreationrequest command that requests environmental information for recreatingspatial presence of the target point, and outputs the environmentalinformation to the control unit 30. The immersive car communication unit37 also transmits the environmental information extracted by the controlunit 30 to the immersive car 1, which has transmitted the recreationrequest command. Additionally, in the example illustrated in FIG. 1, theserver 3 connects to the single immersive car 1 as an example, but thenumber of immersive cars is not limited thereto in the presentembodiment. The server 3 may naturally connect to a plurality of theimmersive cars 1.

(Control Unit)

The control unit 30 causes the environmental information storage unit 35to store the environmental information received by the sensor groupcommunication unit 31. Before the control unit 30 causes theenvironmental information storage unit 35 to store the environmentalinformation, the control unit 30 may perform a compression process onthe environmental information. Then, the control unit 30 registers indexinformation of the environmental information stored in the environmentalinformation storage unit 35 in the index DB 33. The index DB 33 managesthe environmental information that is stored in the environmentalinformation storage unit 35, and it is hereby easy to search for whichenvironmental information the server 3 retains.

Once the immersive car communication unit 37 receives the recreationrequest command from the immersive car 1, the control unit 30 confirmswith reference to the index DB 33 where environmental informationregarding a designated specific place (target point) is retained. Uponreferring to the index DB 33 and confirming that the environmentalinformation regarding the target point is retained by the server 3, thecontrol unit 30 acquires the environmental information regarding thetarget point and converts the environmental information into anappropriate format to transmit the environmental information from theimmersive car communication unit 37 to the immersive car 1. Theenvironmental information acquired for being transmitted to theimmersive car 1 may be real time (actual time) environmental informationtransmitted from the sensor group 4, the past environmental informationthat has been already stored in the environmental information storageunit 35, or a combination thereof.

(Index DB)

The index DB 33 is a storage unit for managing which storage devicestores by which sensor and when environmental information is received.Specifically, the index DB 33 stores, as index information for eachpiece of environmental information, which storage unit (environmentalinformation storage unit 35, here) stores from which sensor and whenenvironmental information is received.

(Environmental Information Storage Unit)

The environmental information storage unit 35 is a storage unitconfigured to store the environmental information received by the sensorgroup communication unit 31. As described above, the environmentalinformation to be stored by the environmental information storage unit35 includes image information, audio information, fragrance information,and a condition of wind, and may store the environmental information inthe state in which the control unit 30 compresses the environmentalinformation. Additionally, a format or the like for information to bestored is not particularly limited.

The configuration of the server 3 according to the present embodimenthas been described in detail. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, eachconfiguration of the server 3 is disposed in a single apparatus, but thedisposition is not limited thereto in the present embodiment. It isneedless to say that each structure may be dispersively disposed anddoes not necessarily have to be disposed in a single place in a physicalperspective. Next, operation processes of the immersive feelingproviding system according to the present embodiment will be describedin detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

3. OPERATION PROCESSES [3-1. Process of Switching Modes]

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of switching modes in theimmersive car 1 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 5, first, the immersive car 1 is on standby in step S103. Thestandby means a state in which there is no passenger in the automobileor a key of the immersive car 1 is not inserted.

Next, when the key of the immersive car 1 is inserted or a user sitsdown on a driver seat so that the standby is cancelled, the control unit10 determines, in step S106, whether the user sitting on the driver seatis eligible to drive a car. The control unit 10 may determine whetherthe user is eligible by reading a driver's license, referring toeligible person information (including biological information of theeligible person) recorded in advance, recognizing the face (whether theuser is an adult or a child), or the like.

Next, when it is determined that the user is eligible to drive a car,the manipulation input unit 15 receives, in step S109, a commandindicating that the driving mode or the immersive mode is set, based onthe user manipulation.

Next, when the command indicates that the driving mode is set, the modesetting unit 22 sets, in step S112, the operation mode of the immersivecar 1 to the driving mode. The mode setting unit 22 also issues, to thecontrol unit 10, a notification that the driving mode has been set.

Next, in step S115, the control unit 10 delivers the manipulationinformation received from the driving input device to the drivingactuator to control the driving actuator, and causes the immersive car 1to be actually driven.

Next, once the key of the immersive car 1 is removed or a manipulationis performed from the manipulation input unit 15 to input a command forfinishing the driving mode in step S116, the control unit 10 finishesthe driving mode.

To the contrary, when it is determined, in step S106, that the user isnot a person eligible to drive a car or when a command is received, instep S109, indicating that the immersive mode is set, the control unit10 determines, in step S118, whether the immersive car 1 is in a stopstate. For example, the control unit 10 may determine whether theimmersive car 1 is currently in the stop state, based on whether a shiftlever (not illustrated) is put in parking, whether the hand brake ispulled up, whether the tires are rotating, or the like. In this way,before switching the operation mode to the immersive mode, it isdetermined whether the immersive car 1 is in the stop state so that itis possible to secure safety in switching the modes in an automobilecapable of being actually driven.

Next, when it is determined that the immersive car 1 is in the stopstate, the mode setting unit 22 sets, in step S121, the operation modeof the immersive car 1 to the immersive mode. The mode setting unit 22also issues, to the control unit 10, a notification that the immersivemode has been set. Once the immersive mode is set, the control unit 10blocks the delivery of the manipulation information from the drivinginput device to the driving actuator 14, as described above. The controlunit 10 may also handle (command validation) the manipulationinformation from the driving input device as a driving manipulationcommand in an immersive space.

If the immersive mode has been set, the control unit 10 may control thedisplay unit 16 to display a screen for facilitating an input of thetarget point. The control unit 10 also generates a recreation requestcommand that requests environmental information for recreating spatialcreation in a specific place (target point) designated by a usermanipulation through the manipulation input unit 15, transmits therecreation request command to the server 3, and acquires environmentalinformation from the server 3.

Next, in step S124, the control unit 10 controls an actuator other thanthe driving actuator 14, recreates spatial presence of the target point,based on the environmental information acquired from the server 3, andprovides an immersive feeling.

Once the key of the immersive car 1 is removed or a manipulation isperformed from the manipulation input unit 15 so that a command forfinishing the immersive mode is input in step S127, the control unit 10finishes the immersive mode.

The process of switching modes in the immersive car 1 according to thepresent embodiment has been described. Next, acquisition ofenvironmental information regarding the target point when the immersivemode is set, which has been described in S121, will be described indetail with reference to FIG. 6.

[3-2. Process of Acquiring Environmental Information]

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of acquiring theenvironmental information regarding the target point in the immersivemode according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 6,first, in step S203, the manipulation input unit 15 of the immersive car1 detects various commands such as an input of the target point. As theinput of the target point, for example, letters such as the name (forexample, the name of a city or the name of a region) or the address ofthe target point, or the name of an institution (for example, the nameof a station, the name of a building, and the name of a park) are inputthrough a target point input screen displayed on the display unit 16.The manipulation input unit 15 may detect this kind of letterinformation representing the target point as position information.

Next, in step S206, the control unit 10 generates a recreation requestcommand that requests environmental information to be used forrecreating spatial presence of the target point, based on the positioninformation of the target point detected by the manipulation input unit15.

Meanwhile, in step S209, the server 3 receives, from a sensor group thatis disposed in each remote location, environmental information, which isdata (sensor data) detected by the sensor group. The server 3 mayfurther store the received environmental information in theenvironmental information storage unit 35 and register index informationof the stored environmental information in the index DB 33.

Next, in step S212, the control unit 10 of the immersive car 1 transmitsthe generated recreation request command from the communication unit 17to the server 3.

Next, in step S215, the server 3 acquires the environmental informationreceived from the sensor group disposed in the requested target point,based on the received recreation request command.

Next, in step S218, the server 3 transmits the acquired environmentalinformation to the immersive car 1.

Next, in step S221, the control unit 10 of the immersive car 1 dividesthe environmental information received from the server 3 into recreationelement data for each actuator. Specifically, for example, the controlunit 10 divides the environmental information received from the server 3into image information, audio information, temperature information, acondition of wind (wind volume information), and the like.

Next, in step S224, the control unit 10 controls each actuator otherthan the driving actuator 14, based on each divided recreation elementdata. For example, the control unit 10 can recreate such presence as auser were actually in a target point designated by the user, byperforming control such that an image captured in the target point isdisplayed on the immersive display unit 28 provided on the windshield,the side glass, the ceiling, or the like.

The control unit 10 can also recreate such presence as the user wereactually in the target point, by performing control such that a soundcollected in the target point is reproduced from the speaker 19 disposedin the car.

The control unit 10 can further recreate such presence as the user wereactually in the target point, by controlling the air conditioning device21 to recreate the temperature detected in the target point. Inaddition, the air conditioning device 21 is controlled to output thevolume of wind detected in the target point so such presence as the userwere in the target point can be recreated.

Next, in step S227, the control unit 10 of the immersive car 1 detects amovement command. The movement command may be manipulation informationoutput when a user manipulates the driving input device (handle 11,brake 12, or accelerator 13) so as to performing virtual driving in thetarget point, or may be position information of a next target pointinput from the manipulation input unit 15.

Next, in step S230, the control unit 10 determines whether theenvironmental information storage unit 23 stores environmentalinformation capable of being used for handling the above-mentionedmovement command. The environmental information storage unit 23 storesthe environmental information transmitted from the server 3 in S218. Forexample, when the movement command is manipulation information outputfrom the driving input device and to be used for virtual driving aroundthe target point, it is possible to handle the movement command ifenvironmental information around the target point has also been alreadyreceived.

When the environmental information storage unit 23 stores theenvironmental information capable of being used for handling theabove-mentioned movement command (S230/Yes), the control unit 10extracts the environmental information and repeats processes shown inS221 to S224.

To the contrary, when the environmental information storage unit 23 doesnot stores the environmental information capable of being used forhandling the above-mentioned movement command (S230/No), the controlunit 10 repeats the processes shown in S206 to S218 and newly acquiresenvironmental information from the server 3. Next, it is possible byrepeating the processes shown in S221 to S224 to recreate such spatialpresence as the automobile were driven around the target point, inaccordance with the manipulation information from the driving inputdevice. The control unit 10 may also control the air conditioning device21 to output wind and provide such a feeling as the automobile isdriven.

In this way, the immersive car 1 can continuously change an immersivespace by repeating the above-described processes shown in S206 to S230and a user can virtually drive from the target point, for example.

The process of acquiring the environmental information regarding thetarget point in the immersive mode according to the present embodimenthas been described in detail. Next, some complements are added to theimmersive feeling providing system according to the present embodimentwill be described.

4. COMPLIMENT [4-1. AR Display]

In recreating an immersive space according to the present embodiment,the control unit 10 may superimpose, on an image displayed on theimmersive display unit 28, descriptive information for an object (suchas a building and a natural object) in the image like Augmented Reality(AR). Here, an example of AR display is illustrated in FIG. 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the immersive car 1 is in the stop statein a parking area or the like, the immersion mode is set. Once a targetpoint is input, a scene outside the windows is shielded in a real spaceillustrated in FIG. 7 and an image showing the target point is displayedon the immersive display unit 28, as illustrated in the lower view ofFIG. 7. As illustrated in the lower view of FIG. 7, an indication 41indicating the descriptive information (such as the name or the history)for the object in the displayed image is displayed. Indication data ofthe descriptive information may be included in image informationreceived from the server 3. The AR display may be switched betweendisplay/non-display in accordance with an instruction of a user.

Although, in the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the descriptiveinformation for the object in the image is displayed as an image, thecontrol unit 10 according to the present embodiment may also performcontrol such that a sound is output from the speaker 19 in theautomobile.

[4-2. Other Techniques of Inputting Command]

A target point is input as letter information through the manipulationinput unit 15, and the driving input device is used for virtual drivingin the above-described embodiment. However, a technique of inputting acommand in the immersive feeling providing system according to theembodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Anotherimmersive car 1′ that can have a command input therein will be describedwith reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the immersivecar 1′ according to a modified example of the present embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 8, the immersive car 1′ according to the modifiedexample of the present embodiment includes a microphone 25 (referred toas mike 25, hereinafter), a camera 26, and sensors 43, 44, and 45 inaddition to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3.

The mike 25 collects a sound in the car such as a voice articulated froma user and outputs the sound to the control unit 10. In this case, thecontrol unit 10 analyzes the collected user's voice and detects an inputcommand (such as a target point designation or a movement instruction).

The camera 26 captures video inside the car such as the user, andoutputs the captured image to the control unit 10. In this case, thecontrol unit 10 recognizes a motion, a posture, a gesture, and the likeof the user based on the captured image and detects an input command.

The sensors 43, 44, and 45 are each provided in the driving inputdevice, detect a magnitude (pressure) of force of a user manipulation,and output the magnitude to the control unit 10. In this case, thecontrol unit 10 detects an input command in accordance with the detectedpressure. The sensor 43 provided in the handle 11 includes a function asa humidity sensor and may detect a situation in which the user's handsare sweating. In this case, for example, the control unit 10 may reflectthe detection result obtained by the humidity sensor on the intensity ofthe output of control of each actuator for recreating an immersivespace. For example, when the target point is a part of a hot region, thecontrol unit 10 controls the air conditioning device 21 to raise atemperature inside the car. In addition, when it can be determined basedon the detection result obtained by the humidity sensor that the userdoes not feel hot (not sweating), the temperature may be set to a stillhigher temperature.

As described above, the immersive car according to the presentembodiment is capable of receiving not only manipulation inputs from themanipulation input unit 15 and the driving input device, but alsoreceiving an audio input, a gesture input, a pressure input, and thelike. A user who takes a seat other than the driver seat can also inputa command through a sound, a gesture, or the like.

[4-3. Influence on Actuator in External Environment]

The immersive feeling providing system according to the presentembodiment may be configured to have an influence from the immersive car1 onto an actuator group disposed in each remote location. The detaileddescription will be made below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 10.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing an overview of an immersive feelingproviding system according to a modified example of the presentembodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, sensor groups 4A to 4C andactuator groups 5A to 5C are disposed in remote locations A to C,respectively.

The actuator groups 5A to 5C operate via a server 3 based on aninstruction from an immersive car 1. The actuator groups 5A to 5C is,for example, speakers or display devices. For example, when theimmersive car 1 is virtually driven in a remote location, the speakersdisposed in the remote location may output driving sounds and thedisplay devices may display driving images of the immersive car 1. Theserver 3 may generate the driving sounds and the driving images, or auser who rides on the immersive car 1 may designate the driving soundsand the driving images.

The actuator groups may be not only speakers or display devices disposedon the spot, but may also be actuator groups currently positioned in theremote location. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 10, for example,the actuator groups may be a speaker 51 or a display unit 53 provided inan information processing terminal 50 such as a smartphone held byanother user who is currently in the remote location A.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing an influence on an actuator group ina remote location A. As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the informationprocessing terminal 50 capable of performing data communication with theserver 3 is held over a road in the remote location A, the display unit53 displays an image of the road ahead obtained by capturing the roadahead by a camera (not illustrated) provided on the back of theinformation processing terminal 50. Thus, the display unit 53 displaysan automobile 56, which is actually driven on the road at the moment.Furthermore, the information processing terminal 50 can receiveinformation regarding the immersive car 1, which is virtually driven inthe remote location A, from the server 3 and can superimpose an AR image54 of the immersive car 1 on the image of the road in the real space.The information processing terminal 50 may also receive a driving soundof the immersive car 1 from the server 3 to reproduce the driving soundfrom the speaker 51. The user in the remote location A can hereby enjoywatching the automobile that is currently driven in the immersive space.

Although the influence on the actuator group in the remote location(target point) in which the immersive car 1 is virtually driven at themoment has been described, the system according to the presentembodiment is not limited thereto. An actuator group in another locationmay be influenced. For example, in the present embodiment, when animmersive space for the same race circuit is recreated within aplurality of immersive cars and the immersive cars are virtually racingwith each other in the race circuit, it is possible to recreate the racein another place based on this information. Specifically, in the presentembodiment, a moving image showing a plurality of immersive cars areracing with each other in a race circuit may be generated and reproducedbased on pieces of manipulation information and the like from drivinginput devices of the plurality of immersive cars. Another user canhereby watch the race in the immersive space.

Additionally, as another example of the influence on the actuator groupdisposed in the remote location, for example, a user in the immersivecar 1′ can have a conversation with people who are currently in asightseeing area through a display device and a speaker disposed in thesightseeing area.

[4-4. Other Examples of Configuration of System]

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the immersive feeling providing systemaccording to the above-described present embodiment includes the singleserver 3, and this is only an example. Needless to say, the immersivefeeling providing system according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure may include a plurality of the servers. The detaileddescription will be made below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 12.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of animmersive feeling providing system according to a modified example ofthe present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the immersive feelingproviding system according to the present modified example includes aplurality of servers 3′A and 3′B, an immersive car 1, and sensor groups4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E each disposed in a remote location.

The server 3′A and 3′B connect to the immersive car 1 and connect to thesensor groups. Here, in the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the server3′A connects to the sensor groups 4A to 4C, and the server 3′B connectsto the sensor groups 4C to 4E. In this way, the plurality of servers 3′Aand 3′B may connect to different sensor groups or may connect to thesame sensor groups. Configurations of the servers 3′ will be describedbelow.

The immersive car 1 acquires environmental information from at least oneof the server 3′A and the server 3′B. The immersive car 1 may transmit arecreation request command to one of the servers 3′, which has been setin advance, or may transmit the recreation request commands to all ofthe servers 3′.

Here, for example, the server 3′A does not connect to the sensor groups4D and 4E. Consequently, it is assumed that when environmentalinformation regarding a target point is acquired from the sensor group4D, the environmental information regarding the target point may not beacquired even if a recreation request command is transmitted to theserver 3′A. It is also assumed that the immersive car 1 may notdetermine in advance to which of the servers 3′ a recreation requestcommand has to be transmitted in order to acquire the environmentalinformation regarding the target point.

It is hereby desirable in the present embodiment that, for example, theservers 3′ are configured to be capable of performing data communicationwith another server. Configurations of the servers 3′ will be describedbelow with reference to FIG. 12.

(Configurations of Servers 3′)

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the configurations of servers 3′according to a modified example of the present embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 12, the servers 3′ each include a sensor groupcommunication unit 31, a control unit 39, an index DB 33, anenvironmental information storage unit 35, an immersive carcommunication unit 37, and another server communication unit 34. Sincethe sensor group communication unit 31, the index DB 33, theenvironmental information storage unit 35, and the immersive carcommunication unit 37 have been described with reference to FIG. 4, thedescription for them is omitted here.

The another server communication unit 34 performs data communicationwith the other servers 3′. For example, the another server communicationunit 34 receives index information regarding environmental informationstored in a storage unit of the other server 3′B from the other server3′B.

The control unit 39 controls the configuration of each of the servers3′. Specifically, for example, the control unit 39 controls the indexinformation received by the another server communication unit 34 fromthe other server 3′B to be registered in the index DB 33.

Once the immersive car communication unit 37 receives a recreationrequest command from the immersive car 1, the control unit 39 confirms,by referring to the index DB 33, which server retains environmentalinformation regarding a designated specific place (target point).

Upon confirming that a piece or all the pieces of environmentalinformation used for handling the recreation request command areretained in the other server 3′B, the control unit 39 accesses the otherserver 3′B via the another server communication unit 34 and acquires theenvironmental information used for handling the recreation requestcommand.

Alternatively, upon confirming that the piece or all the pieces ofenvironmental information used for handling the recreation requestcommand are retained in the other server 3′B, the control unit 39 mayissue an instruction to the immersive car 1 such that the recreationrequest command is transmitted to the other server 3′B. In this case,the immersive car 1 can transmit the recreation request command to theother server 3′B in response to the instruction and can acquire theenvironmental information used for handling the recreation requestcommand.

5. CONCLUSION

As described above, it is possible to recreate spatial presence of aspecific place in an immersive car, based on environmental informationacquired from a sensor group disposed in the specific place, and toprovide an immersive feeling in the immersive feeling providing systemaccording to the present embodiment. The immersive car may also be usedas an immersive space used for providing an immersive feeling and may befor a usual driving use.

Furthermore, the immersive car according to the present embodiment canset one of the driving mode, which is for a usual driving use, and theimmersive mode (immersion mode), which is used for recreating spatialpresence and having a user enjoy an immersive feeling.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, even a user in a rearseat can enjoy an immersive space by watching an image of a target pointdisplayed on the ceiling, the floor, and the side glass. In this case,while the immersive car 1 is actually driven, the immersive space can berecreated for the user in the rear seat as long as the recreation doesnot interrupt the driver.

In the above-described case, the immersive car 1 may control therecreation of the immersive space mainly for the user in the rear seatin accordance with an actual traffic congestion situation. For example,the control unit 10 may control the recreation of the immersive spacemainly for the user in the rear seat such that the user arrives at adestination in an actual arrival time that a navigation device 27calculates taking the actual traffic congestion situation intoconsideration. Specifically, the control unit 10 may recreate theimmersive space based on environmental information acquired from asensor group disposed on a driving route from the current position tothe destination such that the user arrives at the destination in theactual arrival time and may provide such a feeling as the user virtuallydrove to the destination.

A passenger can hereby feel as if he or she kept driving to thedestination in the immersive space even if the passenger is in thetraffic congestion in the real space. The immersive car 1 controls thearrival time in the immersive space such that the arrival time in theimmersive space coincides with a time at which the immersive car 1arrives at the destination in the real space. As a result, it ispossible to reduce stress generated from a gap between the arrival timesin the real space and the immersive space.

The described-above immersive car may be not only an automobile, but mayalso be a bus, a truck, and a jeep. The immersive car may further be amobile object such as a train, a monorail, a cable car, a ship, anairplane, a helicopter, and a rocket.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below:

(1) A mobile object including:

an input detection unit configured to detect an input from an outside;

an acquisition unit configured to acquire environmental informationdetected by a sensor in a remote location, in accordance with a contentof detection performed by the input detection unit; and

a control unit configured to control an actuator other than a drivingactuator in accordance with the environmental information acquired bythe acquisition unit, the driving actuator relating to movement of themobile object.

(2) The mobile object according to (1), wherein the acquisition unitacquires the environmental information detected by the sensor, inaccordance with position information detected by the input detectionunit, the sensor being disposed in a vicinity of a position indicated bythe position information.(3) The mobile object according to (1) or (2), wherein the environmentalinformation is detected by the sensor in a real time.(4) The mobile object according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein thesensor is a sensor disposed in a remote location.(5) The mobile object according to any one of (1) to (4),

wherein the input detection unit detects position information based on aletter input or an audio input, and

wherein the position information is a name of a region, an address, or aname of an institution.

(6) The mobile object according to any one of (1) to (5),

wherein the actuator other than the driving actuator is a displaydevice, an air conditioning device, a speaker, or a fragrance generatorprovided in the mobile object,

wherein the control unit performs display control, temperature control,audio reproduction control, or fragrance generation control inaccordance with the environmental information used for recreating anenvironment in the remote location.

(7) The mobile object according to (6), wherein the display device isprovided on at least one or more of a windshield, a side glass, a rearglass, a ceiling, a side, a floor, and a back of a front seat of themobile object.(8) The mobile object according to any one of (1) to (7), furtherincluding:

a mode setting unit configured to set an operation mode of the mobileobject to one of a movement mode and an immersion mode.

(9) The mobile object according to (8), wherein, when the movement modeis set by the mode setting unit, the control unit controls the drivingactuator in accordance with an input to the driving actuator, the inputbeing detected by the input detection unit.(10) The mobile object according to (8), wherein, when the immersionmode is set by the mode setting unit, the control unit controls theactuator other than the driving actuator in accordance with an input tothe driving actuator and the environmental information, the input beingdetected by the input detection unit.(11) The mobile object according to (10), wherein the input detectionunit detects a user manipulation to a handle, an accelerator, or a brakeprovided in the mobile object, as an input to the driving actuator.(12) The mobile object according to any one of (1) to (10), furtherincluding:

a transmission unit configured to transmit an operation instruction toan actuator in accordance with a user manipulation, the actuator beingdisposed in a vicinity of the sensor that detects the environmentalinformation.

(13) A system including:

a mobile object including

-   -   an input detection unit configured to detect an input from an        outside,    -   an acquisition unit configured to acquire, from a server,        environmental information detected by a sensor in a remote        location, in accordance with a content of detection performed by        the input detection unit, and    -   a control unit configured to control an actuator other than a        driving actuator in accordance with the environmental        information acquired by the acquisition unit, the driving        actuator relating to movement of the mobile object; and

the server including

-   -   a first reception unit configured to receive, from a sensor        disposed in a remote location, environmental information        detected by the sensor,    -   a second reception unit configured to receive the content of the        detection performed by the input detection unit from the mobile        object, and    -   a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the mobile        object, the environmental information received by the first        reception unit, in accordance with the content of the detection        received by the second reception unit.        (14) A storage medium having a program stored thereon, the        program causing a computer to function as:

an input detection unit configured to detect an input from an outside;

an acquisition unit configured to acquire environmental informationdetected by a sensor in a remote location, in accordance with a contentof detection performed by the input detection unit; and

a control unit configured to control an actuator other than a drivingactuator in accordance with the environmental information acquired bythe acquisition unit, the driving actuator relating to movement of themobile object.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle comprising: a body; one or more drivinginput devices configured to control a driving actuator of the vehicle;an input detection unit configured to detect an input provided by a userassociated with the vehicle; a communication unit configured to transmita request for environmental information to one or more external devices,and to receive the environmental information in accordance with therequest; and a processor configured to control a portion of the vehicle,unrelated to the driving actuator, in accordance with the environmentalinformation received by the communication unit.
 2. The vehicle accordingto claim 1, wherein the input detection unit comprises a touch panel. 3.The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the input detection unit isfurther configured to perform one or both of: a voice recognition and agesture recognition.
 4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein theportion of the vehicle unrelated to the driving actuator is one or moreof: a display device, an air conditioning device, a speaker, and/or afragrance generator provided in the vehicle.
 5. The vehicle according toclaim 1, wherein the environmental information is detected by one ormore of: an image sensor, a microphone, a temperature sensor, afragrance sensor, and/or a wind volume sensor.
 6. The vehicle accordingto claim 1, wherein the environmental information is one or more of:image information, audio information, temperature information, fragranceinformation and/or condition of wind.
 7. The vehicle according to claim1, wherein the received environmental information is one or both of:real-time environmental information or past environmental information.8. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the environmentalinformation is image information, wherein the image information isdisplayed on a display device of the vehicle.
 9. The vehicle accordingto claim 1, wherein the communication unit receives the environmentalinformation continuously or when the communication unit transmits therequest to the one or more external devices.
 10. The vehicle accordingto claim 1, wherein the input detection unit is configured to detect atarget point of the environmental information, and the communicationunit is configured to transmit the request and receive the environmentalinformation corresponding to the target point.
 11. The vehicle accordingto claim 1, further comprising a navigation device.
 12. A systemcomprising: an input detection unit configured to detect an inputprovided by a user; a communication unit configured to transmit arequest for environmental information to one or more external devices,and to receive the environmental information in accordance with therequest; and a processor configured to control a portion of a vehicle,unrelated to a driving actuator of the vehicle, in accordance with theenvironmental information received by the communication unit.
 13. Thesystem according to claim 12, wherein the input detection unit comprisesa touch panel.
 14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the inputdetection unit is a cellular device connected to the vehicle.
 15. Thesystem according to claim 12, wherein the input detection unit isfurther configured to perform one or both of: a voice recognition and agesture recognition.
 16. The system according to claim 12, wherein theenvironmental information is detected by one or more of: an imagesensor, a microphone, a temperature sensor, a fragrance sensor, and/or awind volume sensor.
 17. The system according to claim 12, wherein theenvironmental information is one or more of: image information, audioinformation, temperature information, fragrance information and/orcondition of wind.
 18. The system according to claim 12, wherein thereceived environmental information is one or both of: real-timeenvironmental information or pre-stored environmental information. 19.The system according to claim 12, wherein the environmental informationis image information, and wherein the image information is displayed ona display device.
 20. The system according to claim 12, wherein thecommunication unit receives the environmental information continuouslyor when the communication unit transmits the request to the one or moreexternal devices.
 21. The system according to claim 12, wherein theinput detection unit is configured to detect a target point of theenvironmental information, and the communication unit is configured totransmit the request and receive the environmental informationcorresponding to the target point.
 22. The system according to claim 12,further comprising a navigation device.